Torbay & District RMA
©Torbay & District Royal Marines Association 2010
Royal Marines Association
Patron: Her Majesty The Queen
(Torbay & District)
President: Colonel Peter Clough RM
Branch Secretary: John Higgs, 1 Locks Hill, Babbacombe ,TQ1 3TT
Telephone: 01803 327655
Email: jonda1934@talktalk.net
Minutes of the meeting held at 7.30pm on Wednesday 28th July 2010 at the Royal British Legion, Newton Abbot.
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Chairman: Colin Maddox 01626 367390
Secretary: John Higgs 01803 327655
Treasurer Bernard Armer 01626 204720
Total Membership: 42
The meeting commenced at 19.30hrs
Colin Maddox read the Corps Prayer and then asked for 1 minute silence to remember our departed comrade Samuel Tonkiss who died recently.
Apologies: Peter Clough & Peter Pike
Minutes: The were no Minutes for the meeting of 23 June as the Secretary was away.
Matters Arising: N/A
Reports
Chairman: Colin reported that the East Anglia Branch had researched a further battle honour for the Royal Marines. Seemingly it was the 1st Battle honour. Apparently the Dutch tried to land and were repulsed by the Duke of York and Albany’s Regiment of foot. It was the first Marines Battle Honour on British Soil and last time a landing was repulsed on British Soil. The East Anglia Branch and the people there hold a ceremony each year dressing up in 1664 uniforms. More information from Colin if required.
Trustees Minutes should be coming out quicker now. They are worth over a million pounds again, although they lost a bit on the BP investments.
Widows of servicemen killed will get the Elizabeth Cross but the Corps is going to have it’s own commemoration, a Wife, Mother or Father of deceased Royal Marines can now have a special tie, scarf or brooch or all three if they want which will be provided for by the Corps and contain the Corps colours with a red poppy on it.
Secretary: Correspondence was read out and it was noted that all the events are on the Diary.
John attended an open evening at the Torquay Squadron of Air Cadets and remarked on the smartness of the cadets. The reviewing officer was Lt. Col. Kevin Oliver RM, he sends his best wishes to the branch and hopes to visit sometime. The RAFA have an open day at Scarborough Road, Torquay and would like to see any of our members who are interested, there is a full size replica of a Hawker Hurricane, raffles, food, displays etc. It’s from 11am to 11pm. There is plenty of parking as local hotels have donated their spaces. John also noted that a local Torquay lad had passed out to duty and perhaps we should acknowledge this. His name is Daren Graham if anybody knows him.
Treasurer: The balance at the end of June was £1486.91. The raffle at the dinner raised £165 but the branch contributed £70 for prizes. Overall the dinner made £109.57 less the £70. Bern said it sounded a lot but it was nothing really. A member of the RNA donated an item to be auctioned for the RMBF at the dinner, this raised £40 and a cheque will be sent for this amount to the RMBF .
Committee Meeting The minutes were read, Colin reported on the Trustees meeting. John reported on the events. The invitation from 42 Commando Meat Draw night was discussed and John said he would have more info when the unit returned from the Falklands.
Welfare/Globe & Laurel: Iain reported that he felt much better in himself and that he is waiting a decision from the Vascular Surgeon to see what they can do.
Colonel Allenby was 94 last week and Iain had sent him a card and has spoken to him
Unfortunately Sam Tonkiss, a fully paid up member of the Branch passed away recently and Iain asked for members to attend his funeral on Monday.
Dave Tipper is progressing well and it is intimated that he may move shortly. We will keep contact and let members know when he moves, so they can visit him.
A member was concerned that Jack Clegg had not attended the D Day or Babbacombe Parade so Iain contacted him. He says he is fairly well, better some days than others.
Website: George reported that the Website was still up and running and there was nothing new to report. Please visit our Website if you can
Torbay & District Website: www.torbay-
President’s Dinner: Firstly we would We would like to thank our Guest of Honour Lt Col. Sharkey Ward and his wife Lisa for their presence and the RNA, RBL and Canal Zone members for supporting us.
John asked for comments with reference to the President’s Dinner. To date he had not heard any detrimental comments, except one lady who complained about the stairs but as Colin said there was a Stair Lift which Josie used. Unfortunately the numbers were down on other years. Perhaps members could contact John if they have any further comments. Were the low numbers due to the Venue, Time or Date? unless you tell us we don’t know. The Dainton Club was mention by a member at the Dinner but we are unable to have sole use of the room for Lunch or Dinner in the summer as Golf Club members are in situ.
The price for the Dinner was very competitive and Iain remarked that the service and food was excellent. We have to thank Martyn Heenan for his help in dressing the tables with flags, mats and VC Names, Nan for selling raffle tickets and the ladies who folded them.
Any Other Business: As the funeral of Sam Tonkiss coincides with our Committee Meeting Iain asked if we could arrange another date. Colin said there didn’t seem much to discuss and John agreed, as the Dinner feedback could wait. Accordingly the August Committee Meeting was cancelled.
Iain mentioned the lunch at the Redcliffe Hotel with the Paignton RBL which is the 2nd Friday in the month. He informed members that he and other members had attended and were made welcome and that he would be going again.
Bern again mentioned the RMA Sign which is badly in need of cleaning.
John mentioned the possibility of a visit to Bovingdon in the near future.
Iain said the Reunion was getting nearer and we had not heard anything from Central Office, Colin said it should be with us shortly.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 7. 50pm.